24 replies to this topic

[sylvia]

Having read everyone else's posts and realizing that I've veered off slightly in assuming that the debut might not be as good as the experienced dancer, I'll concur and say that it depends on whether one has seen the experienced dancer before. If not I'd definitely go for the older dancer - you never know when it may be their last. I just missed out on seeing Irek Mukhamedov and having been kicking myself since. The change in artistic directors at the RB has me wondering if I'll ever see Miyako Yoshida and Sarah Wildor's Juliets again.

If I have seen the more experienced dancer in the role before I'd go for the debut...maybe. Again, it may be their one and only shot, who knows?

So nowdays I avoid these choices and see everyone in everything!

[casloan]

Yikes! This is not only not fair, it's simply impossible to vote!  While I might choose a performance specifically in order to see an experienced dancer I love (or even one I only know by reputation), there is nothing quite like the thrill of discovery of a new talent.

Claudia

[Lolly]

My goodness Sylvia, how can you say Ivan Putrov is sub-standard?!! I'm off to the Giselle topic to explain myself!

Give me the debut any day, you never know what might happen on stage and it might be something quite wonderful... and often is.

[BW]

Now hold on dirac! There'll be no casting of aspersions at 007, I mean, Sean Connery!

As for casting my vote, I just can't for - as liebling said - it all depends!

[BW]

Oh, Leigh! That's not fair!! What if I've never seen the the talented, experienced dancer before?

Have you considered getting a part time job with the IRS - I think they need some help with their forms. ;)

[Farrell Fan]

This soon-to-be-70-year-old found Nanatchka's argument so compelling that I'm sorry now I voted for the young whippersnapper making her debut. Wish I could change my vote.

[Farrell Fan]

I voted for the debutante because I've undoubtedly seen the experienced older dancer many times in the role and am sure to see her (I feel obliged to add him) again. A debut, on the other hand, happens only once.

[fondu65]

I agree that the question is a difficult one to answer. I chose the young dancer because seeing the debut performance gives one a benchmark opportunity for watching the dancer mature in the role during future performances.

[bobbi]

A talented young dancer will tempt me to see a program or ballet I wouldn't ordinarily go to see.  As a matter of fact, I splurged on a Second Ring ticket this past Saturday matinee just to see Carla Korbes make her debut in Robbins' Interplay.  I had remembered her in Midsummer last year, and then she was out for an injury.  Although I had spotted her as a member of the corps in Fourth Movement Bizet this season, I wanted to see if my memory of her talent was valid.  I wasn't disappointed, and am glad I went out of my way to see her.  

On the other hand, as one previous post pointed out, a dancer at the end of her career -- like Kyra Nichols -- will also tempt me.  I already have tickets for two Midsummers, but if Kyra is in another, I will buy another ticket for that performance.

[smile]

Wow. I didn't think that the poll would be 50/50 (that's what it was when i typed this). I voted that I would like to see a talented young dancer do their first big role because they have never done it before. There is a certain spark there. Plus, there's only one time to see a debut principle, you can see established princiles over and over again.
gwschloss